Just two things:
The Pros are one of the heaviest and most uncomfortable pairs of headphones around, you're still open to, I'd say 95% of the headphone market if you want something lighter.
And oftentimes high-grade plastic headphones are much more durable than metal ones. Usage of aluminum/steel is nice, but often just gets in the way (heavier, more uncomfortable, prone to more damage if dropped due to weight). In other words, metal=/=durable.

You didn't mention anything about portability, so I'm assuming fullsized cans are okay? Something about music/genre preferences might be useful.

I'd go for the HFI-2400. It's under $200 right now on Amazon.

Portability I'm ok with anything.
Ok so I'll take good plastic.
All purpose, I just need natural purist sound no mods no enhancements no equalizing and no amps.
And I heard open cans have better sound do the ones you suggest seem good. Does this pair u suggested confirm with all conditions so far? Thanks alot.

Recently, my last pair of headphones essentially broke due to the jack being... well, utterly destroyed due to my particularly destructive cat, so I'm at a bit of loss of what to do now. As temporary, I'm using some ifrogz earbuds I got for Christmas (don't blame me, I didn't choose them).

I've searched quite a bit for relatively affordable headphones, and I've narrowed down the search to two I like the specifications of (although, I'm not that knowledgeable of these things). The two are "Monoprice 8323 Premium Hi-Fi DJ Style Over-the-Ear Pro Headphones"; the second is Sennheiser HD 203 Studio Stereo Headphones, so really my desire is to know who is overall superior.

Although, I suppose suggestions would also be nice, if the headphones are under $50.

Also, my apologizes if the color seems as odd as it does in the exist editor; it was a linking error.

Recently, my last pair of headphones essentially broke due to the jack being... well, utterly destroyed due to my particularly destructive cat, so I'm at a bit of loss of what to do now. As temporary, I'm using some ifrogz earbuds I got for Christmas (don't blame me, I didn't choose them).

I've searched quite a bit for relatively affordable headphones, and I've narrowed down the search to two I like the specifications of (although, I'm not that knowledgeable of these things). The two are "Monoprice 8323 Premium Hi-Fi DJ Style Over-the-Ear Pro Headphones"; the second is Sennheiser HD 203 Studio Stereo Headphones, so really my desire is to know who is overall superior.

Although, I suppose suggestions would also be nice, if the headphones are under $50.

Also, my apologizes if the color seems as odd as it does in the exist editor; it was a linking error.

Hello, gents! I was extremely amazed by the AKG K450 in every possible way - I found it really neutral with slightly pumped, tight bass, wide soundstage and detail, you name it...I listen to rock and eurodance music - nothing else.Source : Arcam rPac, playing mostly flac and wav files.Where else can I find this type of sound or something better? I`d like to improve...Should I go for the AKG K702 or Beyerdynamic DT880? Grados are hard to find in the European Union.Detail, separation and overall neutral sound is what I would be after.Thanks to anyone for his time !

I think the K702 would put you a bit too far away from the music for rock and eurodance. I'd go with the DT880 over the K702 in this case.

You can also look into getting a pair of Alessandros, which are slightly more neutral Grados sold without the dealer markup. The MS2i should be $300 no matter where you are.

I've been wearing a pair of Sennheiser HD485's I bought in early 2009. They've served me quite well and some people have differing opinions, but I really like the sound of these, and I'm looking for something similar to replace them since they are out of production. These phones have been through quite a few rounds of hell and they are in really bad shape, and have been relegated to desk duty where they probably belonged in the first place.

I'm looking for something to replace them with a max. price range of $130 (the 485's list price).

I purchased a pair of HD448's in 2011 and I really don't like them. They sound nice, but they don't provide enough compression for me, since Senn has gone for a "lighter and sleeker" approach to headphone design, thus there's no in-between for too small and enough pressure to hold them to my head and provide enough seal to sound good without holding them. I don't know if there's a guerilla solution to that problem, but they basically sit unused since I've got an acceptable pair of IEMs for portable use.

I want something to replace the 485's for desk duty that might sound similar, but these always fell flat on the high end, a fact the 448's brought to my attention. A long cord, detachable is a plus, I don't mind if a headphone starts off with a lot of pressure like Senn's used to, I think it's why these 485's sit so well. I'm guessing open-back will contribute t'words the sound I want, as well. Not really brand loyal after the 448's and just have no idea what to expect with other brands.

I do not listen through an amplifier, I use an old Audigy II ZS card in my computer, but it can drive these headphones dangerously high, so I think I might be able to play with a bit more impedence, but not much.

Thank you for your advice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanieb64

Yeah, these are gonna be desk duty phones, so open is fine. These are pretty open as far as I know...

It's kind of hard to describe, I just love how good the bass and midrange is on these, but the 448's are a lot more clear. I can handle a bit of loss in the high end, but the last thing I want is "all-lows and highs, grind your ears to death" you get from skullcandy kit now.

I use pretty much all MP3s, at an absolute minimum of 192kbit/sec, most of it is MP3 V0. I don't use flac.

I listen to a lot of electronic music

Hey guys, I just wanted to bump what I've said again, since the posts I made and the guy who replied to me mighta gotten stuck in the shuffle, I know these are a bit uncommon, but that's kinda why I'm stuck..

I've been wearing a pair of Sennheiser HD485's I bought in early 2009. They've served me quite well and some people have differing opinions, but I really like the sound of these, and I'm looking for something similar to replace them since they are out of production. These phones have been through quite a few rounds of hell and they are in really bad shape, and have been relegated to desk duty where they probably belonged in the first place.

I'm looking for something to replace them with a max. price range of $130 (the 485's list price).

I purchased a pair of HD448's in 2011 and I really don't like them. They sound nice, but they don't provide enough compression for me, since Senn has gone for a "lighter and sleeker" approach to headphone design, thus there's no in-between for too small and enough pressure to hold them to my head and provide enough seal to sound good without holding them. I don't know if there's a guerilla solution to that problem, but they basically sit unused since I've got an acceptable pair of IEMs for portable use.

I want something to replace the 485's for desk duty that might sound similar, but these always fell flat on the high end, a fact the 448's brought to my attention. A long cord, detachable is a plus, I don't mind if a headphone starts off with a lot of pressure like Senn's used to, I think it's why these 485's sit so well. I'm guessing open-back will contribute t'words the sound I want, as well. Not really brand loyal after the 448's and just have no idea what to expect with other brands.

I do not listen through an amplifier, I use an old Audigy II ZS card in my computer, but it can drive these headphones dangerously high, so I think I might be able to play with a bit more impedence, but not much.

Thank you for your advice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanieb64

Yeah, these are gonna be desk duty phones, so open is fine. These are pretty open as far as I know...

It's kind of hard to describe, I just love how good the bass and midrange is on these, but the 448's are a lot more clear. I can handle a bit of loss in the high end, but the last thing I want is "all-lows and highs, grind your ears to death" you get from skullcandy kit now.

I use pretty much all MP3s, at an absolute minimum of 192kbit/sec, most of it is MP3 V0. I don't use flac.

I listen to a lot of electronic music

Hey guys, I just wanted to bump what I've said again, since the posts I made and the guy who replied to me mighta gotten stuck in the shuffle, I know these are a bit uncommon, but that's kinda why I'm stuck..

Used or refurbed HD 598 would be good or its more bassy little brother HD 518 new.

I think the K702 would put you a bit too far away from the music for rock and eurodance. I'd go with the DT880 over the K702 in this case.

You can also look into getting a pair of Alessandros, which are slightly more neutral Grados sold without the dealer markup. The MS2i should be $300 no matter where you are.

Thank you, sir! What do you mean by " a bit too far away " ? Would you please explain more, as I am still a beginner audiophile...I have a chance to get one week old K702 for almost half the price they cost in my country, and about 15-20% cheaper than the DT 880 PRO.

Looking for a set of headphones for work (need to not leak much), most likely over the ear (though if people have good in-ear suggestions, let me know) for roughly $200-300 (open to suggestions of what I could upgrade to). Genres are best defined by bands: Radiohead, Parov Stelar/Koop/Royksopp (as in jazzy electronic), Salsa/Latin. Was thinking of Sennheiser HD 598s. Also, would be nice if an amp is not required, but again I'm flexible on this.

Thank you, sir! What do you mean by " a bit too far away " ? Would you please explain more, as I am still a beginner audiophile...I have a chance to get one week old K702 for almost half the price they cost in my country, and about 15-20% cheaper than the DT 880 PRO.

The large soundstage on the K702 would be the equivalent of sitting in the middle of a concert hall. While good for instrument separation and imaging, I'd normally want the illusion of being in the first few rows for rock and eurodance.

You'll also need a decent amp and dac for these headphones. Neither sounds good out of a laptop headphone jack.

I'm looking for a set of headphones with excellent isolation and stay snug on your head (can withstand headbanging without jumping off my head). These are for electronic drums which is why these qualities are most important. I've previously been using the Vic Firth isolation headphones (which do both extremely well) but the sound quality leaves a lot to be desired and they're starting to fail on me after only 6 months of use, so I'll need a pair that can take advantage of the frequency range of a modern drum module and last a really long time.

I'm looking for a set of headphones with excellent isolation and stay snug on your head (can withstand headbanging without jumping off my head). These are for electronic drums which is why these qualities are most important. I've previously been using the Vic Firth isolation headphones (which do both extremely well) but the sound quality leaves a lot to be desired and they're starting to fail on me after only 6 months of use, so I'll need a pair that can take advantage of the frequency range of a modern drum module and last a really long time.

My budget is $150 but I can spring for 200 if necessary. Thanks.

You can consider Ultrasone pro 550 , ATH M50 for over ear examples but IMO an old but still very good Sennheiser hd 25 II is the best option ! neverthelesss it's on-ear :) . These cans are all designed for profesionnal use and have strong clamping force . they're all built as tank